Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or above
Location: Europe, Sweden
GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at Uppsala University. The program is ideal if you are interested in an intensive study format in many fields of the humanities, natural and social sciences, and business. Uppsala University offers more than 700 courses that are taught in English to incoming exchange students. Uppsala University is a highly ranked, rigorous research university with excellent laboratories and institutes. Uppsala offers several unique areas of study during the academic year, including Baltic regional studies, Holocaust/genocide studies, education, astronomy and space physics, information technology, radiation sciences, theoretical physics, economic history, Eurasian studies, and international conflict studies. 
 
“Nations” dominate student life at Uppsala.  A student “nation” is like a private student union mixed with a co-ed fraternity: each nation has its own building which houses a library, a pub, a coffee shop, and often a ballroom.  Members are given discounted prices at the pubs and at special nation events.  Each nation has its own distinct culture and traditions, so there is something for everyone.  For example, some nations are known to be business-oriented, or vegetarian-friendly, or have a strong LGBTQ culture.  

The Student Health Center at Uppsala has a team of specialists: psychologists, counsellors and therapists, all focused on student related health issues. Uppsala has four coordinators who work with special pedagogical support for students with disabilities. The Language Workshop is free of charge and available to all students on the undergraduate and Master’s levels. Uppsala offers consultations about written and oral presentations on an individual basis in both Swedish and English.  At Uppsala University, there is zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and victimization. 
  
Uppsala is the fourth largest city in Sweden, only an hour train ride from Sweden's capital, Stockholm; the Baltic Coast and Lake Mälaren are even closer. Uppsala has a blend of the more intimate atmosphere of a smaller town and the vibrancy of a larger city.  It's an ideal location for study abroad, as students find it easy to integrate into the local culture.  

Most weekends in Uppsala find the city crawling with students pub hopping, going to nation clubs or attending gasques. Gasques are large formal dinner parties followed by dancing and other festivities. Nations hold gasques to celebrate their traditional food and cultural activities. 

An important part of Swedish everyday life is “fika” which is a lengthy, informal, social coffee break. Although baffling for some Americans, Swedish students literally spend hours each day in coffee shops with friends, eating and drinking and chatting.

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall/Winter Semester 2025-26 2/1/2025 Late August Mid-January
Academic Year 2025-26 2/1/2025 Late August Early June
Spring Semester 2026 2/1/2025 Mid-January Early June

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

You will be contacted by Uppsala following your initial application during the window of module registration, when specific modules can be requested. You will submit a list of 8 courses in order of preference. Be prepared to show how you are eligible for your selected courses, by providing details from your own transcript.

Note: Since there is no drop/add period at Uppsala, make sure that you have pre-approval from your home University for each course, even the reserve/alternative choices, before submitting your course proposal with Uppsala's application.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Uppsala follows a “module” calendar in which many courses meet intensively for short modules of three to six weeks, allowing for complex, but highly flexible scheduling. All courses listed on the course listing linked in the sidebar menu are open to you and will be taught in English, provided that you fulfil the prerequisites for each course and observe these special situations: 

Business courses – Prerequisites vary considerably and there is an early application deadline. 

Law courses – At least two years of prior Law studies (full-time). 

Medicine – As clinical courses in Medicine require knowledge of fluent Swedish and are very competitive, these courses rarely accept exchange students. 

Natural Sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Engineering- No entry-level courses are available. You must have strong academic backgrounds within these subjects and meet the eligibility requirements described in each course description. Uppsala offers few lower level courses in English in this field. Most of the courses have substantial entry requirements and it is very important that you meet the requirements precisely.  

You may enroll for courses taught in Swedish if you possess enough Swedish language skills and if places are available. Availability for those course is posted after the national admission process is completed. 

Uppsala uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is a workload-based system for measuring and comparing study results.

  • Uppsala courses are usually valued at 4-6 ECTS credits.
  • ECTS credits are transferred to the UO at the rate of 1 ECTS credit = 0.75 quarter credits.
  • You will be registered for 22.5-30 ECTS credits depending on the course preference list included in your application to Uppsala.  
  • The grading system differs between faculties and disciplinary domains.

Note: You should consult with your UO academic advisor before submitting your course enrollment to Uppsala University. There is no add/drop week at Uppsala. The course proposal you submit as part of the host university's application is final.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

  • You are encouraged to complete one year of Swedish at the UO before joining this program. 
  • At least 20 credits in the area(s) in which you would like to take courses in Uppsala. 
  • GPA of 3.5 or above for graduate students. 
     

Housing Description

You may live in a student residence hall in or around Uppsala. You may select from a range of options with varying monthly rents. Rooms are usually single occupancy with a private bath, or one shared with one to three other students. Kitchens are shared with six or more other students and serve as a social gathering place.  Please note that Uppsala University has no halls of residences, colleges or other forms of ‘university housing’. All rooms that students live in are regular rooms owned by a variety of different housing companies. The Uppsala University Housing Office will assist you in applying for housing. All admitted exchange students that apply for accommodation with the Housing Office at Uppsala by the posted deadline will receive a housing offer.

The Student Union is a good resource if you want to find house independently. More information is available here http://studentboet.se
Hotel Uppsala is the least expensive option of student housing, but it is a youth hostel and is not recommended as a permanent housing solution.
 
Note: The housing market in Uppsala is highly regulated. Many housing companies require you to register with them and they allocate apartments on the basis of how long you have been waiting – that is, how many “queue days” (swe: ködagar) you have. You should not underestimate how much time and effort it will take you to secure housing. During the beginning of the semester it can even be difficult to find a hostel room.